Swim Season

Swim season is in full swing! 

We  always look forward to the anual tradition of an ice cream party and team picture.

2012 Dolphins

One of their biggest cheerleaders!

Last Day of Preschool 2012

I can hardly look at this picture without getting emotional...our baby is not so much a baby anymore.

Today was here last day of preschool for this year.  To say she has thrived is an understatement for sure.  She was one of the youngest in her class but you'd never know this through watching  her.  Her teachers alwasy raved about her ability to transition and help others. Now sharing is a topic we talk about this year ;).  She loved very day and had the sweetest angels for teachers.

I snapped a few shots of her coming to chapel as my class was leaving....adore the hand holding!

One huge perk to me working at her preschool is peaking in on her.  I was so glad to see this activity.  She has gone from full out scribble to actually paying attention to the lines very recently!  She is even beginning to write her name!!  These activities involve being still which is not something she desires!    We are so proud of her growth this year in all areas but mostly her knowledge of Jesus.  She often volunteers to pray and it is the sweetest sound ever!

Somehow I forgot to get a picture of her with her sweet teachers on the last day so I snuck one in later.  (That is water is on her shorts!)  They are as beautiful on the inside as on the outside and have been such a blessing to our sweet girl this year!

I can't get this to flip but here is a picture of her September 2, 2011 on her very first day of preschool.

Here she is on May 30th, 2012 her last day of the twos class.

WOW look how much she as grown!!!!

Straight A Student

Here's what you get when you ask a spunky, sometimes sassy, fashion diva of an eight year old to pose on the last day of school. Silly Girl! She was so excited to go to school one final day.  Interestingly enough this was the first year she realized she was leaving behind a teacher.  This was in part because she loved her teacher so much.  It was Miss R's first year and she did an amazing job motivating our girl to always do her best but understand we all make mistakes.  She was a blessing for big sis!!!  She has grown so much this year.  We have always know she was intelligent but this year her grades really sparkled!  She was aware of them for the first time as well! 

Her whole family plus all four grandparents were present to see her recieved an award for straight A's.  She was a little sad when she realized she only missed one day of school this year...if you are counting that makes 4 missed days in 3 years of elementary school!  Impressive for sure!!

We are honored to be her parents and look forward to all of the adventures God has in store for third grade.  Kind of makes momma's knees quiver to think of third grade but can't let her know that!!  No matter how old she will always be our baby girl and her birthday was one of the most special days of my life!  I love you sunshine!!!!

Here We Grow

Tonight the kindergartners at brother's school had a performance titled "Here We Grow".  How appropriate is that?!?!  It was amazing to think back to where we were a year ago.  Brother has grown and matured so much this year.  We could not be more proud of him!  Equally amazing was one music teacher conducting almost 100 5/6 years olds for almost an hour! 

Lil sis found brother's flower first thing!  Of course we thought it was the cutest one up there.  It was also fitting that his buddy's was beside him and together they were purple & gold!! 

As a child I would have be horrified to get on this stage with that big of an audience.  He was not nervous one bit and did a fantastic job. Again, amazing teacher!!!

Each child had a speaking part that was prerecorded and played on the big screen.  Great time saving idea.  Plus we were able to buy a DVD and sit back to enjoy the show live!

Just some cuteness!

After the show we went back to his room for a final good bye to friends and the best K teacher around.  She has taught by example.  Her love for the Lord is shown by the way she treats others...especailly the children in her class.  Brother respects and loves her...we all do!

I have no doubt she prayed for my son daily and will place him in the best first grade class for him. 

He accomplished so much this year.  He can read like a whizz, write pretty neat, conquer most any math but what we are most proud of is his heart for the Word.  To us the best compliment given by his teacher was her recognition that he not only knew the Bible fairly well but that he had a thirst to learn more!  Our prayer is that this continues to develop within his heart.  God has big plans for this guy and we are honored to be choosen as his parents!

Look out First Grade her comes another Foster!!!

Our Gymnast

Today was lil sis' last day of gymnastics.  She has enjoyed this experience so much.  Mommy has enjoyed taking her and helping her get stronger each week! For the last class daddy joined the fun!

She was so proud to have him there again!

She has never feared new things but has really grown stronger and ability to swing, jump and climb.

(Daddy has a few pictures of her getting her medal that I will try to upload...as I was off to pick the other darlings from a 1/2 day of school!)

Family Day!

Today's holiday presented the rare occasion for us all 5 to stay together ALL day.  This seems simple but weekends get gone with activities, parties, errands...

But today we had fun just being together!

Brother requested a chinese lunch and followed by a visit to a park.

Another day ends with a full and very thankful heart!!

Memorial Day Celebration

Our tradition of celebrating Memorial Day continues.  It began in 2004 as a "thank you" to daddy's coworkers that helped us so much after big sis was born.  It has transformed into a gathering of close friends.  None of the original members work directly together any more.  Some have moved homes while others have moved jobs.  Some had other obilgations and one special member was watching from above.  For those of us available today, we had a blast talking, eating and playing.

We hung out at home a bit and had pizza.

Then we moved up to the pool to cool off on a hot day!

Brother could not get enough of the "big boys"...funny to me because they were younger than he is now when we began this tradition!

How cute is this?  Brother just soaks up every single chance to play ball!!

Our hearts are full as this day ends!